Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Sales (Hard Sell)
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It's always been like this. Always. Every time. Ever since forever.
"Why do happy times always fly by so fast?"
Rest days really feel like time turns into lightning and zips past. My trip to the Maldives flew by in a total frenzy.
Well, that's proof I enjoyed it just as much. That's fine, right?— I had that uncharacteristically optimistic thought for a second before shaking my head.
School starts soon. Hate it. Really hate it. Once you've tasted vacation, you never want to go back.
It's like once you try meat, you can never go back to grazing on grass. Even if that's the case.
"Sigh."
But you've gotta live, right? If there's nothing but grass around, you eat the grass.
Acceptance is the wisdom of adults, after all.
I dragged myself up with bleary eyes and glanced around. Probably because I stayed up late gaming last night, there was a blonde sleeping at my feet.
"Ah."
Yeah, we did game late last night. It was Raphael's desperate flailing to snag even one win against my all-out mode.
It was fun, though. Fun enough that I fell asleep mid-game.
I couldn't help chuckling as I nudged her lightly with my foot, but there was zero reaction.
She seemed to be sleeping so deeply that I hesitated to wake her, so I started heading to the kitchen—
"..."
Raphael's face came into view. Her peacefully sleeping face. The occasional deep breaths told me just how soundly she was out.
And that completely defenseless posture. I couldn't resist—I crouched down right then and there.
I didn't really plan on doing anything bad, so I gave a casual answer to the cat that had jumped onto my shoulder at some point.
"Payback for all the usual stuff. Do you have any idea how much I've suffered because of her?"
The little one seemed to know better than to respond rashly. After all, if I roll, she rolls right along with me automatically.
At first, it was just one hand. I gently tugged at her cheek to test if she'd wake up. Then both hands.
With both hands, I grabbed those soft, squishy cheeks and stretched them out. As I applied more strength, they stretched like mochi.
This is kinda fun.
And she really was out cold—no matter how much I pulled, she wouldn't wake. Instead...
"Mm..."
All I got were sounds like that. She was frowning in her sleep, like she was having some dream. It was so cute that I kept pulling without thinking—
"What are you doing?"
A voice came from the side. I turned to look, and Lily was standing there with a glass of water.
"Giving her what she deserves."
"Pardon?"
What? Can't you tell? I'm just loosening her up a bit like she always does to me. If not now, when? She's a gorilla when she's awake.
Still, Lily had gone out of her way to bring me water, so I couldn't just leave her holding it. I let go of the blonde's now-red cheeks.
"You try it too. When she's asleep. Sneakily."
"..."
I could hear her gulping. How much resentment does this girl have built up against Raphael?
Well, yeah. Raphael's always calling her a demon and smacking her. I'd build up resentment too.
"If you get caught, you're on your own. I won't help."
"Ah, I won't do it!!"
I chuckled at Lily frantically waving her hands and handed her back the empty glass.
I'd been thirsty anyway. Sharp maid, as always.
"Is there anything specific you'd like for breakfast?"
"Ah. Food."
I flopped onto the sofa and checked the time as I answered. 8:30. My sleep schedule was late to bed, early to rise.
Classic disrupted routine, but school would force it back to normal anyway.
"Something simple. I've got somewhere to be later."
"Yes. Then I'll prepare some brea—"
Before Lily, who had politely clasped her hands, could finish, something interrupted her.
Messy hair, red cheeks, rubbing at eyes that wouldn't open—it sat up.
"Seong-hoon... where are you going today...?"
Why are you waking up right then?
Afternoon.
I'd woken up in the morning, played with Sion and Levatein, then headed out. Of course, I couldn't just leave like that.
—Again?! We pinky-swore!! It's not like promises vanish if you deny them!!
—Don't go!! You can't!! If you're going, step on me fir— Huh?
—Coming home early? For real? Lee Seong-hoon isn't stepping on me and actually coming home early?
The last part annoyed me, but after what happened in the dungeon, I should head back early, right?
Thanks to that, time was tight. Lots of people to meet, but short time limits, so quick meetings to handle business and split.
With that in mind, I looked at the person in front of me. A woman staring at me without even touching her coffee.
She grinned, propping her chin on her hand. Her silver hair fell to the side, but she ignored it.
Her red eyes fixed only on me. It felt like sitting on pins and needles. The coffee tasted bitter.
"Sophia."
"Yeah?"
Thankfully, my business with her could wrap up fast. Just a warning and a few words, then on to the next.
The warning was simple. Second semester starts soon. Tons of events happen, but honestly, not sure if they'll all play out.
First semester skipped a lot. Midterms changed, ranking battles moved up, demons appeared.
But even with the twists, some events followed the original plot weirdly. Mostly demon or demonkin-related ones.
Why bring this up? Because Sophia goes berserk in the second semester.
She's grinning now, but originally, she doesn't. A pitiful vampire who doesn't trust humans but wants to blend into human society.
Honestly, I'd love if her rampage got skipped.
But "just in case" exists for a reason. I looked at Sophia with serious eyes, playfulness gone.
She picked up on the mood and dropped her smile, meeting my gaze.
"School starts soon."
"Yeah."
"If anything happens, tell me right away."
"Yeah. Of course. Anything— Wait, what?"
"Not every little thing. If something feels off from usual, or someone's watching you, or anything weird."
I didn't pause. Sophia, who'd been serious, stared blankly with wide eyes.
"Especially anything vampire-related. If the class feels off or surroundings get strange even a bit, tell me immediately."
"Uh, u-uh-huh~?"
"And that sticky note I gave you last time. You have it? If anything happens, rip it no matter what. Any situation, anytime. I'll come running."
"Uh, wha~?"
"Don't hesitate. Rip it. Got it? No matter the situation, I'm on your side. Absolutely. Rip it no matter what."
It's true. Sophia won't do anything wrong. But in a crisis, I need to hammer in that she won't think "I'm a vampire, though..."
No more mid-boss Sophia. Just my maid number two.
"No matter the situation?"
"Any situation."
"On my side?"
"Your side."
Sophia's face flushed bright red. At the same time, I knew what came next. I'd seen it often enough to predict.
She bowed her head deeply, steam practically rising. Her hands trembled visibly.
"Wh-what if you say stuff like that suddenly... I'm not ready yet..."
I ignored Sophia babbling stuff like "What do I do~" and checked the time.
Said what I needed to. Time to rush to the next meeting.
"Wh-what do I do!! Stay calm. Be calm!! Sophia Blandid!!"
I opened [Inventory] and handed her a sticky note as she freaked out alone.
Rune magic I'd prepared at home.
"And if it's dangerous, rip this rune too. It'll buy you time."
"Uh, yeah. Thanks."
"Alright. I'm off. See you after school starts."
"Yeah. Take care. Hehe. He— What?"
The moment I shot up from my seat, Sophia's smile, which had been there seconds ago, froze.
It happened in an instant. Just moments ago, flowers had been swirling behind her as her silver hair flowed. Now, a blizzard raged.
Her cold eyes fixed on me.
"You're leaving?"
"Uh, yeah? Next appointment. I met you to hand this o—"
She grinned.
Chills ran down my spine.
"Going to see Isia."
"H-how'd you...? No, that's—"
Is she a vampire or a fortune teller? In the freezing atmosphere, I could only manage a wry smile.
Next up was meeting Isia, who'd returned to Justitia ahead of school starting. The reason? Obviously just one.
"Buy."
"..."
Item from beating the boss monster. To sell (strong-arm) it at a high price.
No, but it's perfect for Isia, right? She really needs it.
She'll love it if she buys. No, I really want her to buy. So I placed the high-quality magic stone down, and Isia looked at me.
"Okay. Fine. It's all good."
Not pleased expression. No, it's a high-quality magic stone from a boss monster drop. What's her problem?
I say that, but I know the reason. It's right next to her.
"Why is she here?"
The woman sitting right next to me, glued to my side. Propping her chin, grinning, legs crossed.
I dunno either. Why is she here? She followed when I said I was going.
Too scared to tell her to leave. Had no choice but to let her tag along.
Super creepy. She's just smiling beside me, and they've been glaring at each other since earlier.
Wanna sell the item quick and move on.
"High-quality magic stone. Not something you find easily anywhere."
"..."
Look at the stone. Not Sophia, the stone. Magic stones like this aren't easy to get. Cheap ones maybe, but high-quality ones are rarity-restricted by the country.
You'd need a fortune to buy one, but I was offering it at half that price.
Won't you regret not buying? It'll hurt bad?
"......"
Isia probably had sore eyes instead of a sore stomach today. That staring contest wouldn't end till one blinked, so I intervened.
I patted Isia's head a couple times to tell her to stop. She freaked and jumped back.
"Eek!! Wh-what?! What was that?!"
"Look at the magic stone. And what's with that reaction? You trying to hurt my feelings?"
Freaking out and jumping back just from touching your head? Rude.
Pfft—!! Came from the side, but ignored.
"Buy or not."
Isia glared at Sophia once more, then looked at the stone. She instantly recognized its quality, eyes widening as she stared at me.
"Wh-where'd you get this?! Y-you're really selling it for that price from earlier?"
She really wasn't listening to a word I said. Finally the reaction I wanted, so I nodded.
No way she'd pass. She nodded wildly, eyes sparkling, like a kid finding treasure. Adorable.
I chuckled unwittingly—
"Hmph."
A voice from the side. Can't even look. One side icy, the other sunny—caught in the poles, I made up my mind.
"Can I go?"
Run away. Full speed to the next buyer—
"Who's next?!"
"Next? There's more?! Who?!"
This is driving me crazy.